National Consultation on Testimony

Testimony to improve psychosocial wellbeing and promote advocacy for

survivor of torture and organized violence
Organizers
Peoples’ Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), Varanasi,
India
&
Rehabilitation and Research Center for Torture Victims (RCT),
Copenhagen, Denmark
On
16th-17th April, 2009
At
Viswaya Yuvak Kendra, Circular Road, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE
(Conference language: English, conference will be video & audio taped)
Day Time Program Resource Person
10:00 – 11:00 Registration
11:00 – 12:15 Inaugural session
Chair person:
Dr. Lenin, Convener, PVCHR
Mr. Harsh Mander,
Director Aman Biradari
Welcome (5 minutes)
and Supreme Court Right to
Food Commissioner
Chief Guests:

Mr. Gautam Navlakha, Consultant Editor –Economic

and Political Review

Economic and Political Context of Torture and Organized

Violence In India (15 minutes)

Ms. Dorte Bech Vizard, Political and Press Counselor,

th Royal Danish Embassy,
Thursday, 16
April, 09 New Delhi
Dr. Jan Ole Haagensen, Director International
Department, RCT

International work of RCT (15 minutes)

Mr. Sanker Sen, Ex- Director General, National

Human Rights Commission

Topic ? (15 minutes),

12:15 -12:30 Tea Break (Change of hall)

12:30 – 1:30 First session

Chair Person: Mr. Henri Tiphagne, Executive Director Peoples’
Watch (PW):
Mr. Henri Tiphagne,
Executive Director Peoples’
Briefing about the National Project on Preventing
Watch
Torture in India (20 minutes)

Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi Convener, PVCHR & Ms. Shabana

Khan, Project Coordinator, PVCHR:

Experiences gained after using testimonial therapy (20

minutes)

1:30 – 2:30
2:30 – 3:15
Chair Person:
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Head of
Department, Psychiatry,
Institute of Medical Science,
Banaras Hindu University
Discussion
Lunch
Second session
Dr. Inger Agger, Psychosocial Adviser, Rehabilitation and
Research Centre for Torture Victims (RCT),
Testimonial therapy (20 minutes)

Mr. George Pulikuthiyil, Director Jananeethi, Thrissur, Kerala:

Psycho –legal counseling (20 minutes)

Discussion

3:15 – 3:45 Third session

Chair Person: Two Survivors (one male and one female)

Dr. Tulsi Das, President Impact of testimonial therapy in the life of a survivor
Deva International Society (in the voices of two survivors) (10 minutes each)
for Children Care, Varanasi
 Friday 17th April, 2009

17th April, 09 10:30 -10:45 Tea

10:45 – 1:00 First session
Chair person: Panel:
Mr. Suhas Chakma, Mr. Koshy Mathew, President SICHREM, Mr. Henri
Director, Asian Center for Tiphagne, Executive Director People’s Watch, Dr. Lenin,
Human Rights Convener, PVCHR, Mr. Faisal Anurag, Founder, CREJ, Mr.
Mantu Ahanthem, Executive Director, Wide Angel Manipur,
Mr. Colin Gonsalves founder, Director HRLN, Mr. Tapan
Bose Executive Director South Asia Forum on the Human Rights

Planning for the creation of an alliance for the use of

testimonies in India.

Open Session

1:00 – 2:00 Lunch

2:00 – 2:30 Second session
Chair person: Feed Back session: continuation of previous session
Mr. Koshy Mathew,
President SICHREM

2:30 – 3:00 Third session

Dr. Lenin, Convener PVCHR

Summary and vote of thanks